TheatreZone announced a genre-mixing cocktail of a season with the Elton John-Tim Rice version of "Aida" and the edgy "Urinetown."

The pop "Aida," which won the Tony for best score in 2000, promises eclectic music, from reggae to ballad, and "Urinetown," scheduled for the studio theater at FGCU, is political satire. In between are sandwiched the classic-style "On a Clear Day You Can See Forever" and the you-choose "Mystery of Edwin Drood," which allows the audience to vote for one of four endings.

The last is the kind of play Danni loves, because he has a play nearly every season ("Amadeus," "The Boy from Oz") that breaks down the fourth wall of the stage and lets a performer or performers directly address the audience.

"Maybe it’s a Naples thing but maybe it’s a me thing," Danni said. "It's been done in movies ("Animal Crackers," "Ferris Beuhler's Day Off," "Deadpool"), but you're not there with the actors. In theater it’s a great device to use because you're there with the performer."

He also likes the gymnastics of turning a large musical intimate: The John-Rice adaptation of the "Aida" story is one of those.

"So many times Broadway show are made so big because they have to fill that stage. When it comes down to it, this is a story about four people," he said of the plot line, in which the hero is betrothed by honor to one woman but loves another, and warring parents come into the mix. This permutation does lighten up the story with some comic moments, such as in the paean to fashion, "My Strongest Suit," from Amneris, who is something of a clothes horse.

Danni emphasized that people shouldn't expect "Clear Day" to be a warmed-over version of the Barbra Streisand film.

"I've actually never been able to get through the movie," he conceded. "But I read the script — it’s so much more refreshing. The team of (Alan) Lerner and (Burton) Lane wrote it. It’s one of those from the golden age of Broadway musicals," he said. Even if all the songs weren't Top 40 hits, they're melodic and enjoyable.

"Urinetown," an unusual work for this area, was the brainchild of a playwright who was in Europe and had to pay to use the toilet. You have to pay to pee. It’s very political satire," Danni said. The musical won two Tonys, and has the friskier vibe Danni thinks the academic community will appreciate.

This production, at the studio theater at FGCU, will feature professional actors teamed with FGCU students and taught by TheatreZone staff. The FGCU production has become an annual outreach for TheatreZone.

All are new plays to Theatrezone, and all portend a season of challenge — but, as Danni said, "That's what we're in the business for!"

TheatreZone 2018-19 season

All tickets are $50, $60 and $75. All performances are at the G&L Theatre on the campus of The Community School, 13275 Livingston Road, North Naples, unless otherwise noted.

To purchase season tickets, see theatrezone-florida.com or call 239-424-9500

"The Mystery of Edwin Drood" — Jan. 10-20: A winner of three Tony Awards including best musical, the interactive whodunit mystery musical, based on Charles Dickens’ unfinished novel, offers the audience a chance to choose the show’s ending at each performance.

"Elton John and Tim Rice's' Aida' — Feb. 7-17: A winner of four Tony Awards, the tale of love, loyalty and betrayal gives the Verdi opera a contemporary look and original music.

"On a Clear Day You Can See Forever" — March 7-17: An unusual young woman, her past life personalities mesmerizes her psychiatrist, who falls in love with one of them.

"And the World Goes 'Round" — April 25-May 5: Revue of the songbook of Kander and Ebb, who wrote the music and lyrics to "Cabaret," "Chicago" and and other Broadway musicals.

Special shows

These productions are not included in season ticket pricing. To purchase, see number in the season ticket section:

"Urinetown" — Oct. 11-14: The triple Tony winner satirizes legal system, capitalism and most other institutions with its premise of requiring people to "pay to pee." Location is Theatre Lab at FGCU's Bower School of Music & the Arts, 10501 FGCU Blvd. South, Fort Myers. $40 and $45.

"Home for the Holidays" — Dec. 7-9: After its Hurricane Irma hiatus, the original holiday is back with seasonal songs and costumes. $50, $60 and $75. The Community School, 13275 Livingston Road, North Naples,